Key Account Manager

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned and commercially savvy Key Account Manager to spearhead growth across primary grocery multiple accounts in Ireland and the UK. This position involves cultivating strategic partnerships, achieving profitable sales expansion, and overseeing the complete commercial agenda for designated accounts. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the FMCG food sector with proven experience influencing buyer-level decisions and surpassing challenging targets. Collaboration with cross-functional teams to bring growth opportunities to fruition is vital for success. This role also provides a clear career advancement path in the broader Grocery market across the UK and Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations and relationships within key national accounts across Irish and UK grocery multiples.
• Establish and nurture strong, cooperative relationships with buyers and critical stakeholders.
• Create joint business plans that align with both customer and company goals.
• Serve as the primary liaison for all commercial and operational matters.
• Achieve agreed sales, margin, and market share goals for assigned accounts.
• Identify opportunities for growth through product range extensions, promotions, and category development.
• Conduct negotiations on pricing and promotional activities to optimize profitability.
• Monitor competitor activities and market trends to guide strategic decisions.
• Take full responsibility for the performance of assigned accounts including P&L management.
• Align pricing and promotional strategies to ensure profitable growth.
• Provide accurate financial reports and analyze performance against budgets.
• Ensure volume growth is balanced with margin objectives.
• Lead forecasting and demand planning processes, collaborating with supply chain teams to ensure accuracy.
• Analyze sales data, trends, and promotion effectiveness to improve forecasts.
• Work closely with marketing, product development, supply chain, and finance teams to ensure successful plan execution.
• Support new product development launches and ensure effective in-market execution.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to align on account strategies and priorities.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven track record as a Key Account Manager or Key Account Executive within FMCG, ideally in food manufacturing.
• Experience managing grocery multiple accounts in Ireland and the UK.
• Strong commercial insight and acumen.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building abilities.
• Highly analytical with expertise in forecasting and financial planning.
• Capability to handle complexity and deliver results in fast-paced settings.
• Proficiency in Excel, sales data analysis tools, and customer portals.

Personal Attributes

• Outcome-oriented with a strong sense of ownership.
• Strategic thinker with effective tactical execution skills.
• Resilient, adaptable, and focused on solutions.
• Exceptional communicator capable of engaging at various organizational levels.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with major UK and Irish retailers.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, or related fields.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Company pension scheme.
• At least 22 days of annual leave, increasing with tenure.
• Paid day for volunteering.
• Paid wellness day.
• Free parking facilities.
• Subsidised canteen services.
• Participation in bike-to-work scheme.